Mhlanga shines as Zimbabwe grab consolation win

by BackPageTXT

Wednesday Jun 15, 2016. 19:58

Lawrence Mhlanga netted a brace as Zimbabwe hammered Seychelles 5-0 in the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup Group A clash at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Despite the convincing victory, the Warriors of Zimbabwe were eliminated from tournament as they finished second on the Group A log, while Seychelles clinched a fourth spot finish.

The opening goal came in the 23rd minute through Ronald Pfumbidzai who converted from the spot beating Vincent Euphrasie in Seychelles goal.

Obadiah Tarumbwa had a chance to double Zimbabwe’s lead five minutes later, but the lanky forward directed his header straight into Euphraise’s hands.

Zimbabwe did double their lead eight minutes before the half-time break and it was Tatenda Mudehwe who scored with a great header.

There was a commotion in the Pirates box nine minutes after the restart, but Tarumbwa’s header was cleared off the goalline.

In the 64th minute, Lawrence Mhlanga headed the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0 to Zimbabwe with Pfumbidzai making an assist.

Nine minutes later, Teenage Hadebe also netted with his head from a corner-kick as Zimbabwe continued to dominate the game.

Zimbabwe’s 5-0 victory was sealed by Mhlanga in stoppage time after he profited from Seychelles’ poor marking.

Zimbabwe (2) 5 (Pfumbidzai 23’, Mudehwe 37’, Hadebe 73’, Mhlanga 64’, 93’)
Seychelles (0) 0

Zimbabwe: Mkuruva, Mhlanga, Zvirekwi, Mudehwe, Masuku, Tarumbwa (Chawapiwa 57’), Hadebe (Moyo 82’, Kangwa, Kutinyu (Manure 72’), Pfumbidzai, Mashumba

Seychelles: Euphrasie, Manoo, Onezia, Joubert, Waye-Hide, Basil, Henriette (Maillet 76’), Hopprich, Esther, Tamboo, Bibi